It seems that any time anyone talks about costs, conversations get awkward. We all have that mate or relative who humble-brags about how their new (insert item) only set them back "this much!", don't we? The other side of the coin is just as uncomfortable, though. Asking 'How much?' often comes with implied penny-pinching attached.
Planning your spending isn't a social crime and it shouldn't be treated as one. If you want to know how much you need to budget for an IELTS tutor, Superprof is happy to help you figure that out. We'll get started the second we're done praising your wisdom.
Why You Need an IELTS Tutor
Let's say you're considering studying abroad. You've already combed through university websites so you know how high tuition is for international students. You may have scholarships or some grant money to help offset tuition but those funds won't help with airfare or insurance. They might not even cover your living costs or study resources in your host country.
If this is you, you probably want to spend every dollar with as much thought and care as possible. But the high cost of international study makes financial questions more pressing than for anyone emigrating to an English-speaking country. If you need an IELTS result to live and work in another country, you might not need to worry about costs so much.
Some people sit IELTS for reasons all their own. Maybe they want a career in journalism or to be a presenter on television. An IELTS result might not be necessary but it will look good on your Curriculum Vitae (CV). Whatever reason you want or need an IELTS score, you will incur at least two costs.
The exam fee is the most important. The 2023 IELTS price Australia is $410, no matter whether you sit the General IELTS or IELTS Academic. You shouldn't go into the testing centre unprepared so your second unavoidable cost is IELTS revision materials. Here, we need to urge caution.
A brief scroll through Amazon shows page after page of IELTS practice and revision materials. The prices range from about $20 to over $100, all different editions from different publishing houses. It's a dizzying array that might lead to a wrong choice.
If possible, stick with authentic Cambridge revision books. That way, you're sure to get the latest edition containing the most relevant information. They might set you back $20 to $40, depending on which exam you're preparing for. With those prices out of the way, it's time to consider the other two IELTS-related costs.
You can find IELTS preparation centres all over Australia. These are for-profit concerns and they charge hundreds of dollars for their services. One centre we visited in Sydney offered a range of courses for just under $600. Across the country, in Perth, such courses are available for as little as $199.
At Superprof, we contend an IELTS tutor is the best strategy for IELTS exam preparation. One-to-one IELTS preparation lessons with a private tutor ensure that your unique learning profile takes the lead in all learning initiatives.
You may feel less confident in your writing skills than your speaking abilities, especially if you're a native English speaker. Whichever area(s) you believe your English skills are lagging, your IELTS tutor will structure your sessions around them.
The best part about preparation with a tutor? You'll likely pay less than IELTS classes!
Prepare for your exams with IELTS courses Perth on Superprof.
An IELTS Tutor for Speakers of Other Languages
Finding an IELTS tutor isn't simply a matter of someone who can help you prepare for the IELTS exam. Your tutor has to know the nuances of the English language and be able to explain them to you such that you understand them. You may prefer an IELTS tutor who is bilingual - who speaks English and your native language.
Or you might like to prepare with a tutor whose first language is English. As you are preparing to test your English speaking and listening skills, having a dialogue with such a tutor would be the best idea. Taking this route, you need to make sure your tutor has lots of experience tutoring learners in your situation.
An experienced tutor will have the patience to answer all of your questions. They will give you all the time you need to work through any challenges you meet. They will have the tools to help you improve your English speaking skills and build reading comprehension.
If you're like my students, you spend a lot of time writing in English. But this writing is different from the writing you will do on your IELTS exam. Here again, your private tutor will coach you towards effective writing so you can communicate your ideas in their proper order.
For speakers of other languages, a private IELTS tutor who is a native English speaker is recommended. Technology makes it easy to find such a tutor; you may then arrange for online lessons. Such a teacher can help you train your ear for English as you talk together. What a great way to practise your listening skills!
An IELTS Tutor for Native English Speakers
As a native English speaker, you might have an easier time finding an IELTS tutor than exam candidates who speak other languages. On the other hand, you might find your lessons more frustrating. As you learn the finer points of the language you've spoken all your life, you risk rattling your self-confidence.
An experienced IELTS tutor would recognise your dismay and reassure you that you've no need to doubt your English language skills. While training to be an English teacher, I was astounded at how little I knew about my native language. Now, I recognise the same anxiety in my students that I experienced.
Your IELTS tutor will likely focus more on language mechanics and usage than on speaking and listening. After all, you've been speaking and listening to English your entire life. They should recommend that you listen to English in different accents, though. The listening test features American and British English speaking, as well as Canadian.
Your private tutor will need to know where your English language strengths and weaknesses are. IELTS tests your reading and writing skills too.
So if you dislike reading or haven't written anything longer than a text in years, you must let your tutor know. Those two skills will then become areas of focus.
Find a qualified tutor for IELTS classes Melbourne on Superprof.
IELTS Price Australia
As you contemplate taking the IELTS exam, you start noticing how the fees keep piling on. You have IELTS classes and materials fees. If you agree that IELTS tutors are indispensable, you'll have another fee to budget for. And, of course, you'll pay that $410 testing fee.
For the budget-conscious, every hundred flying out of your wallet hurts. So isn't it great to know that you can dispense with at least one of those costs? Choosing an experienced IELTS tutor for private lessons limits your spending to exactly the guidance you need.
No matter what they charge, IELTS courses all offer a one-size-fits-all study plan, even if you only need reading or writing practice. Now, let's say you've taken a few IELTS practice tests.
Your English language skills are good but your time management is off. A few sessions with a private IELTS tutor to learn test-taking strategies would work better for you than a six-week course.
Just like IELTS course prices, fees for private tutors vary depending on where you are. IELTS tutors in Sydney and Melbourne charge more per hour than those teachers in Darwin or Perth. And if you're open to IELTS preparation lessons online, you could find a lower rate than local tutors charge.
Technology makes finding experienced IELTS tutors whose lessons fit your budget easy, and Superprof makes it easier still. On the Superprof IELTS tutors page, you can see tutors' profiles and gauge their experience at a glance. Also, you'll find their per-lesson cost and a snippet of their teaching experience.
Superprof tutors welcome student feedback; you can read those testimonials once you click on a tutor's profile. For instance, Greg is a certified IELTS tutor who offers lessons online. He specialises in speaking and writing skills, test aspects many candidates find the most challenging. Greg has five student reviews; he charges $40 per online lesson.
Many Superprof tutors bundle lessons to give their students a discount. Allison charges $60 for one hour but if you prepay for five lessons, your total comes to $200. She also welcomes small groups and gives IELTS lessons online; those cost $35 per session.
Most Superprof IELTS tutors offer their first lesson free. It's a way to find out whether tutors' teaching styles match your learning preferences. If it seems things work well during this free taster session, you can start setting learning goals and revision schedules.
Online or in-person, IELTS test preparation doesn't have to cost a lot. Greg, Allison and other Superprof tutors prove you don't have to pay for IELTS courses when you only need a few targeted lessons.
Begin IELTS classes today on Superprof!
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